Michelle Mitchell, of Age UK, added: “We need the Government to show leadership and make the difficult but vital decisions to reform our broken care system.” Local authorities spent £7.6billion on care from 2009 to 2010 during Labour’s last full year in Government, some £500million more than the £7.1billion being spent this year.

That works out as a real terms cut of £1.3billion once soaring prices are considered.

Mr Burstow said: “It is clear some councils are using their resources more effectively and investing in prevention and rehabilitation. But others are short-­sightedly cutting services.”